watersheds; beneficial use; instream flows

HB 2073 amends Arizona law to expand the Arizona Game and Fish Commission's authority to acquire and lease surface water rights specifically for "watershed health uses" and "instream flows" as defined in state law. This change directly affects the commission, enabling it to manage water rights to support ecological health in watersheds and maintain river flows. The bill modifies existing statutes (17-231 and 17-298) without creating new funding, instead clarifying the commission's existing power to secure water resources for these purposes. It does not alter current water allocation rules or impose new requirements on water users.